U.S. Women's National Volleyball Team Weekly Update for Dec. 19

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (Dec. 19, 2012) - The current U.S. Women's National Volleyball Team Weekly update released on Dec. 19 includes briefs on U.S. players.

BERG, KIRALY, McCUTCHEON PRESENTING AT AVCA CONVENTION: Two-time U.S. Olympic Women’s Volleyball Team silver medalist Lindsey Berg (Honolulu), U.S. Women’s National Volleyball Team Head Coach Karch Kiraly and past U.S. Olympic Women’s and Men’s Volleyball Team Head Coach Hugh McCutcheon were presenters at the recent American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) Annual Convention held Dec. 12-16 at the Kentucky International Convention Center in Louisville, Ky. In addition, Kiraly served as the color commentator for the NCAA Division I Women’s Volleyball Championship semifinal and final matches.

THOMPSON WITH POLAND’S BUDOWLANI LODZ: Courtney Thompson (Kent, Wash.), a setter on the 2012 silver medalist U.S. Olympic Women’s Volleyball Team, is playing for Budowlani Lodz of the Orlen Liga in Poland for 2012-2013. Budowlani Lodz (4-7, 11 points) defeated then-first place BKS Aluprof Bielsko-Biala (9-2, 27 points) on Dec. 16 in a thrilling five-set match with scores 25-20, 24-26, 31-29, 20-25, 15-11. Thompson scored one kill on two errorless attempts to go with three aces and a block in the match. She set her squad to a 29 kill percent. Budowlani Lodz, which remains in sixth place in the 10-team league following the victory, faces seventh-place Impel Wroclaw (3-8, 8 points) on Dec. 22 in its next match.

HARMOTTO, GLASS WITH ITALY’S VOLLEY MODENA: Middle blocker Christa Harmotto (Hopewell Township, Pa.) and setter Alisha Glass (Leland, Mich.), both members of the U.S. Women’s National Volleyball Team, are competing with Assicuratrice Milanese Volley Modena in the Italian Serie A1 in 2012-2013. Harmotto, a silver medalist at the 2012 Olympic Games, and Glass were also teammates at Penn State University before joining the National Team. Modena swept Duck Farm Chieri Torino 25-21, 25-22, 25-22 on Dec. 16. Glass set her squad to a 44 kill percent and a .306 hitting efficiency while providing an individual kill on two attacks and two blocks. Modena (5-4, 17 points), now in fourth place, returns to the court on Dec. 22 versus last-place Idea Volley 2002 Bologna (0-9, 1 point). Modena, which advanced directly to the main phase of the CEV Challenge Cup, defeated Nova KBM Branik Maribor 25-17, 24-26, 25-23, 25-14 to sweep the home-and-home 16th Final Round playoff series. Modena now advances to the 8th Final Round where it will face Ilbank Sports Club Ankara in a home-and-home series with dates to be determined.

KLINEMAN WITH ITALY’S ASYSTEL McCARNAGHI VILLA CORTESE: Alix Klineman (Manhattan Beach, Calif.) returns to the Italian Serie A1 for a second season, but will compete for Asystel McCarnaghi Villa Cortese in 2012-2013. In Italian Serie A1 action, Villa Cortese collected a 25-17, 20-25, 28-26, 25-17 victory over Icos Crema on Dec. 16. Klineman charted 13 kills on 29 attacks, two blocks and two aces for 17 points in the victory. She added a 72 positive reception percent (56 excellent reception percent). Villa Cortese (5-4, 16 points), now in fifth place, challenges third-place Rebecchi Nordmeccanica Piacenza (7-2, 21 points) on Dec. 22 in its next Italian Serie A1 match. In CEV Champions League action, Villa Cortese (3-3) finished Group B in third place following a 25-21, 25-18, 25-15 loss to Atom Trefl Sopot on Dec. 12. Klineman registered eight points with seven kills on 31 attacks and a block. As the third-place team in Pool B, Villa Cortese advances to the Playoff 12 Round to challenge Turkey’s Eczacibasi VitrA Istanbul in a home-and-home series taking place Jan. 17 and Jan. 24. Eczacibasi VitrA finished atop Pool D, winning all six matches in the league round.

LLOYD, FAUCETTE WITH ITALY’S YAMAMAY BUSTO ARSIZIO: Carli Lloyd (Bonsall, Calif.), a setter with the U.S. Women’s National Volleyball Team, is competing in the Italian Serie A1 league with Unendo Yamamay Busto Arsizio in 2012-2013 along with American Juliann Faucette (San Diego). Both athletes played for Epic Volleyball Club in San Diego as juniors before going separate ways at the collegiate level. Yamamay Busto Arsizio, the reigning Italian League champion, swept last-place Idea Volley 2002 Bologna 25-15, 25-17, 25-14 on Dec. 16. Faucette scored eight points in the victory, including five kills on 17 attacks, two blocks and an ace. Lloyd did not play in the match. Busto Arsizio (7-2, 22 points), which remains in first place of the Italian Serie A1, challenges sixth-place Imoco Volley Conegliano (4-5, 14 points) on Dec. 22. In CEV Champions League action, Yamamay Busto Arsizio (4-2, 13 points) defeated Dinamo Romprest Bucuresti 25-21, 26-24, 25-11on Dec. 12 to secure second place in Pool C on the final day of the group play. Faucette was a sub in the first set only, registering two attacks. Lloyd did not enter the match. Busto Arsizio now advances to the Playoff 12 round to face Schweriner SC in a home-and-home series with matches on Jan. 16 and Jan. 24. Schweriner finished second in pool E.

PAOLINI WITH ITALY’S ICOS CREMA: Lauren Paolini (Ann Arbor, Mich.), a middle blocker with the U.S. Women’s National Volleyball Team, returns for a second season with Icos Crema as she helped the squad rise to the Italian Serie A1 Division for 2012-2013. Icos Crema broke a three-match streak of going five sets, but it was not a positive result in losing to Asystel McCarnaghi Villa Cortese 25-17, 20-25, 28-26, 25-17 on Dec. 16. Paolini produced five kills on 13 attacks, three blocks and two aces in the loss. Icos Crema (4-5, 11 points), now in eighth place, returns to Italian Serie A1 action on Dec. 22 versus second-place Foppapedretti Bergamo (8-1, 21 points).

ENGLE, MURREY WITH ITALY’S BANCA REALE YOYOGURT GIAVENO: Ashley Engle (Yorba Linda, Calif.), who has trained with the U.S. Women’s National Volleyball Team, is currently competing for Banca Reale Yoyogurt Giaveno of the Italian Serie A1 alongside American Tarah Murrey (El Cerrito, Calif.) playing in her first full professional season. Giaveno lost to Rebecchi Nordmeccanica Piacenza 25-13, 25-17, 26-24 on Dec. 15. Engle produced 11 points, all on kills coming from 34 attacks. Murrey was limited to four kills in the match. Giaveno (3-6, 9 points), now in 10th place, moves on to face ninth-place Kgs Robursport Pesaro (4-5, 10 points) on Dec. 22.

TOM WITH BRAZIL’S UNILEVER: Logan Tom (Salt Lake City, Utah), a four-time U.S. Olympic Women’s Volleyball selection with two silver medals, is playing this winter with Unilever in Brazil’s Superliga. Unilever downed Rio Do Sul 25-19, 25-19, 25-13 on Dec. 11. Tom, who started and played just the first two sets, turned in eight points, including two aces. Unilever continued its win streak on Dec. 13 with a 25-12, 25-21, 25-19 victory over Sao Bernardo Volei. Tom pocketed 10 points with six kills and four aces. Unilever, now 6-1 and in a three-way tie for first place, challenges Sesi-Sao Paulo on Dec. 21 in its next regular season match.

SCOTT-ARRUDA WITH BRAZIL’S BANANA BOAT: Danielle Scott-Arruda (Baton Rouge, La.), the only five-time U.S. Olympic Women’s Volleyball Team selection and a two-time Olympic Games silver medalist, joined Banana Boat/Praia Clube in mid-season of the Brazil Superliga. Banana Boat/Praia Clube dropped a 25-22, 25-16, 25-17 match to first-place Sollys/Nestle on Dec. 10. Scott-Arruda, who subbed into the match in the second set and started the third, totaled four points in the loss. Banana Boat/Praia Clube bounced back to defeat Usiminas/Minas 25-17, 29-27, 14-25, 25-17 on Dec. 15. Scott-Arruda provided 10 points in the victory as she entered the match midway through the second set and started the final two sets. For her efforts, Scott-Arruda was named the player of the match. Banana Boat/Praia Club, now 5-2 overall and in fourth place, resumes action on Dec. 21 versus Volei Amil.

AKINRADEWO WITH AZERBAIJAN’S RABITA BAKU: Foluke Akinradewo (Plantation, Fla.), a silver medalist with the U.S. Olympic Women’s Volleyball Team at the 2012 Olympic Games, is competing for Rabita Baku in the Azerbaijan Super League. In CEV Champions League action, Rabita Baku (6-0) swept Agel Prostejov 25-17, 25-23, 25-15 on Dec. 12 to finish Group B with a 6-0 record. Akinradewo tallied eight kills on 13 errorless attacks and a block for nine points in the victory. Rabita Baku now takes on RC Cannes in a home-and-home Playoff 12 round with matches on Jan. 16 and Jan. 24. RC Cannes ended Pool A in second place with a 3-3 record. In the Azerbaijan Super League, Rabita Baku swept Telekom 25-15, 25-18, 25-18 on Dec. 17.

HODGE, WILSON WITH AZERBAIJAN’S AZERRAIL BAKU: Megan Hodge (Durham, N.C.), a silver medalist on the 2012 U.S. Olympic Women’s Volleyball Team, is playing for Azerbaijan’s Azerrail Baku in 2012-2013 along with fellow Penn State University alum Arielle Wilson (Broadview, Ill.). In CEV Champions League action, Azerrail fell to Dresdner SC 26-24, 25-23, 15-25, 25-22 on Dec. 12 to wrap up Pool D. Hodge claimed a match-high 22 points with 20 kills on 42 attacks and two blocks. She added a 52 positive reception percent on a team-high 29 chances. Azerrail Baku ended Pool D in second place with a 2-4 record and advanced to the Playoff 12 round to challenge country rival Lokomotiv Baku in a home-and-home series on Jan. 16 and Jan. 23. Lokomotiv Baku finished Pool F with a 5-1 record and in first place with 14 points. In the Azerbaijan Super League, Azerrail Baku defeated Igtisadchi Baku 25-17, 25-18, 30-28 on Dec. 17.

METCALF WITH AZERBAIJAN’S IGTISADCHI BAKU: Nancy Metcalf (Hull, Iowa), an opposite on the U.S. Women’s National Volleyball Team, is playing for Igtisadchi Baku of the Azerbaijan Super League in 2012-2013. In the Azerbaijan Super League, Igtisadchi is 5-2 after falling to Azerrail Baku 25-17, 25-18, 30-28 on Dec. 17.

TAMAS WITH AZERBAIJAN’S BAKI AZERYOLSERVIS: Jennifer Tamas (Milpitas, Calif.), a 2008 silver medalist with the U.S. Olympic Women’s Volleyball Team, is playing for Baki Azeryolservis of the Azerbaijan Super League in 2012-2013. In the CEV Cup playoffs, Baki Azeryolservis lost to Russia’s Omichka 25-20, 25-20, 23-25, 25-13 to complete the 4th Final Round home-and-home series without a win. Baki Azeryolservis is 2-3 in the Azerbaijan Super League.

LARSON-BURBACH, BOWN WITH RUSSIA’S DINAMO KAZAN: Jordan Larson-Burbach (Hooper, Neb.) and Heather Bown (Yorba Linda, Calif.), who have each won an Olympic silver medal with the U.S. Olympic Women’s Volleyball Team, are competing for Dinamo Kazan in the Russia Super League. In the CEV Champions League, Kazan (4-2, 13 points) lost to Schweriner SC 25-16, 25-17, 25-19 on Dec. 12 in the Pool E final match. However, Kazan had already secured the top spot heading into the final match. Neither Larson-Burbach or Bown played in the match. Kazan will now face country rival Dinamo Moscow in the Playoff 12 home-and-home series with matches on Jan. 16 and Jan. 23. Dinamo Moscow finished second in Pool F behind Lokomotiv Baku. Kazan remained undefeated in the Russian Super League following a 22-25, 25-12, 25-17, 25-11 victory over Severstal (2-7, 7 points) on Dec. 16. Larson-Burbach secured 15 points in the victory with 12 kills on 23 attacks, two blocks and an ace. Kazan (9-0, 24 points) takes on Torch New Urengoy on Dec. 29. Before resuming the Russia Super League schedule, Kazan has a Russia Cup semifinal match versus Odintsovo on Dec. 22. The opposite semifinal has Dinamo Krasnodar playing Dinamo Moscow.

HOOKER WITH RUSSIA’S DINAMO KRASNODAR: Destinee Hooker (San Antonio, Texas), who earned the Best Spiker Award at the 2012 Olympic Games while helping the U.S. Olympic Women’s Volleyball Team to the silver medal, is competing for Dinamo Krasnodar in the Russia Super League this winter. With Hooker out of the lineup, Krasnodar (6-4, 18) lost to Uralochka (6-3, 19 points) 25-15, 25-23, 27-25 on Dec. 16. Krasnodar looks to rebound on Dec. 29 versus Dinamo Moscow (7-2, 21 points). Before its Russia Super League match, Krasnodar competes in the Russian Cup starting with a semifinal match versus Dinamo Moscow on Dec. 22. The opposite semifinal has Dinamo Kazan challenging Odintsovo.

RICHARDS HILDEBRAND WITH TURKEY’S BAKIRKOY BELEDIYE YESILYURT: Kristin Richards Hildebrand (Orem, Utah), alternate for both the 2008 and 2012 U.S. Olympic Women’s Volleyball Teams, is competing for BakirkOy Belediye Yesilyurt in the Turkish League. Yesilyurt lost to third-place Fenerbahce (6-3) 25-19, 25-17, 25-22 on Dec. 15. Richards Hildebrand collected nine points in just the first two sets with nine kills on 28 attacks. She added a 57 positive reception percent on 14 chances. Yesilyurt (3-6), now in a tie for eight-place, faces IBA Kimya TED Kolejliler on Dec. 21 in its next match.

FAWCETT WITH KOREA EXPRESSWAY IN KOREA LEAGUE: Nicole Fawcett (Zanesfield, Ohio), an opposite with the U.S. Women’s National Volleyball Team, is competing with Korea Expressway in the Korean professional league. Korea Expressway lost to IBK Industrial Bank 25-16, 17-25, 25-18, 25-17 on Dec. 12. Fawcett scored 24 points in the match with 20 kills on 53 attacks, two aces and two blocks. On Dec. 15, Korea Expressway lost to Hyundai 25-21, 25-21, 20-25, 25-22 to fall to 6-4 on the season. Fawcett contributed 30 points, on kills via 60 attacks. Korea Expressway looks to erase the two-match losing streak on Dec. 20 as it faces Heungkuk, followed by a Dec. 23 contest against GS Caltex.

KIM GLASS WITH CHINA’S EVERGRANDE: Kim Glass (Lancaster, Pa.), an outside hitter with the U.S. Women’s National Volleyball Team, has reunited with her 2008 U.S. Olympic Games silver-medal winning coach, Jenny Lang Ping, with Evergrande Guangdong in the Chinese League this winter. Evergrande defeated Henan Xinyuan 25-18, 25-20, 25-22 on Dec. 12 in Luohe, China. Glass came off the bench in the middle of the third set to score two kills on three errorless attacks. Evergrande continued its win streak on Dec. 15 with a 25-21, 25-22, 25-17 victory over Liaoning Dalian Jinzhou. Glass did not play in the match. On Dec. 18, Evergrande topped Zhejiang KaiYuan 28-26, 25-22, 22-25, 25-15. Glass was a sub in all three sets, but did not register a point. Evergrande is now 8-3 on the season.

LICHTMAN WITH SWITZERLAND’S HOTEL CRISTAL VFM I: Cassidy Lichtman (Poway, Calif.), an outside hitter with the U.S. Women’s National Volleyball Team, is competing for Hotel Cristal VFM I in the Swiss Volley League along with Americans Bianca Rowland, Brianna Barry, Michelle Kocher, Lise Muhlemann and Amber Roberson. Hotel Cristal VFM lost to fifth-place Sagres NUC (9-5, 27 points) 25-27, 25-23, 25-13, 25-21 on Dec. 15 to fall to 8-7 with 25 points for fifth place. Hotel Cristal VFM takes on Volero Zurich (15-0, 42 points) on Dec. 22 in its next league match.

U.S. WOMEN’S NATIONAL VOLLEYBALL TEAM TRYOUT: The U.S. Women’s National Volleyball Team will hold its annual open tryout Feb. 22-24, 2013, at the U.S. Olympic Training Center (OTC) in Colorado Springs. This tryout is open to United States citizens who are current college-age athletes and older, and high school athletes born in 1993 or earlier. Throughout the tryout process, USA Volleyball will be identifying prospective athletes for the following two different programs: U.S. Women’s National Volleyball Team Program; U.S. Women’s National Volleyball Senior A2 Team. The U.S. Women's National Volleyball Team Program is available to athletes who have concluded their collegiate eligibility and who wish to be invited to be a member of the U.S. Women’s National Volleyball Team on a full-time basis. This program could begin as early as the spring of 2013, or when an athlete’s scholastic or professional club season has concluded. Also considered for training with this group will be athletes who have remaining collegiate eligibility and their participation beginning in mid-May or when their scholastic calendar ends for 2013. The U.S. Women's National Volleyball Senior A2 Teams is available to athletes in college and with collegiate eligibility remaining for the 2013 collegiate season. This projected 48-athlete program is scheduled to take place in Dallas from June 25 to July 4 with training and competition at the USA Volleyball Girls’ Junior National Championships (GJNC). For additional details including tryout fees, click here.